Sea Breeze 2013 Participants Conduct Amphibious Landing for Disaster Relief Demonstration

Ukrainian PTS-2 amphibious assault vehicles assigned to the Ukrainian naval vessel Konstantin Olshanski (U 402) conduct an amphibious assault demonstration as part of Exercise Sea Breeze 2013. Sea Breeze is an air, land and maritime exercise designed to improve maritime safety, security and stability in the Black Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Howard/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Howard, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

ODESSA, Ukraine (NNS) -- Multinational partners participating in Exercise Sea Breeze 2013 conducted an amphibious landing operation demonstration in support of simulated disaster relief activities July 11.

As the Ukrainian PTS-2 amphibious assault vehicles deployed into the water toward Ukrainian navy vessel Konstantin Olshanski (U 402), invited local and national Ukrainian media observed the demonstration in order to understand better what this exercise is about, and were given an opportunity to speak to some of the exercise participants.

"This is my second time to participate in Exercise Sea Breeze," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Jonathan Mitchell, U.S. Navy Sea Breeze 13 participant. "I have already seen vast improvements over last year's exercise - especially in communication." Continued improvements in operating together is one reason for exercises such as Sea Breeze 13.

The local media saw how the multinational troops would handle one method of delivering disaster relief supplies were one to occur in real time.

"In this simulation, our troops are assisting a simulated neutral nation in disaster relief efforts after an earthquake," said Ukrainian Rear Adm. Denis Berezovsky, dxercise director. "This is just one of many simulations to come during Sea Breeze 2013."

Working together to streamline this and other scenarios is key to protecting nations in the Black Sea region according to U.S. Navy Capt. James Aiken, exercise deputy director.

"The partnerships we have developed over the course of this exercise will pay dividends for a long time," said Aiken. "The exercise this year is more complex than previous years in that, in addition to the other training exercises, the coalition will conduct simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief."

This year's participants include Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and U.S., along with France, Germany, Libya, Lithuania, Qatar, and UAE, as observers.

Sea Breeze 13, an annual multinational exercise in the Black Sea, is a combined air, land and maritime exercise designed to improve maritime safety, security and stability in the Black Sea by enhancing the capabilities of Partnership for Peace and Black Sea regional maritime security forces.

6th Fleet Commander Launches Exercise Sea Breeze

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs ODESSA, Ukraine (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. 6th Fleet commemorated the start of the Ukrainian-led, international maritime exercise Sea Breeze 2012 (SB12) at the opening ceremony, July 9.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the largest maritime exercise held each year in the Black Sea.

The exercise, scheduled to conclude July 21, includes 18 participant and observer nations, and focuses on improving maritime safety, security and stability in this vital region of the world.

"Sea Breeze brings together not only nations from the Black Sea region, but other nations that have an interest in maintaining maritime security in various parts of the world," said Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.s. 6th Fleet.

This year's participants include Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine and U.S., along with Algeria, Bangladesh, Israel, Portugal, Qatar, Sweden, and UAE, as observers.

U.S. units participating in the exercise include the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51); a Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit detachment based in Little Creek, Va.; and a P-3C detachment from Patrol Squadron 9 (VP 9) from Honolulu.
"Sea Breeze is focused on achieving a goal shared by all of us to achieve a region free of threats through cooperative security," Pandolfe said at the exercise's opening ceremony.

"As our global and regional security environments change, multinational cooperation such as that practiced in Sea Breeze will become increasingly important," Pandolfe said. "Our continued commitment to working together in partnerships by way of regional alliances and friendships will allow us to achieve a more secure future together."

SB12, an annual multinational exercise in the Black Sea, is a combined air, land and maritime exercise designed to improve maritime safety, security and stability in the Black Sea by enhancing the capabilities of Partnership for Peace and Black Sea regional maritime security forces.

Sea Breeze 2010 Kicks Off in Ukraine

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Gary Keen, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

ODESSA, Ukraine (NNS) -- Sea Breeze 2010 officially kicked off with an opening ceremony and combined press conference with senior Ukrainian and U.S. naval leadership at the Ukranian Southern Operational Command in Odessa, Ukraine, July 12.

Sea Breeze is an invitational combined and joint maritime exercise in the Black Sea with the goals of enhancing Black Sea national maritime security capabilities and improving Black Sea theater security cooperation strategies.

"It is a great pleasure for me to announce the opening of exercise Sea Breeze 2010," said Ukrainian Vice Adm. Viktor Maksimov, commander-in-chief of Ukrainian naval forces, during a speech to more than 300 military and civilian members of the 12 participating countries of Sea Breeze. "In response to common threats facing the world today, this exercise will be dedicated to anti-piracy operations."

Maksimov added that Sea Breeze will utilize the experience and knowledge gained in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Aden and welcomed members of the participating countries to Ukraine.

Sea Breeze's robust training agenda will include counter-piracy training operations, non-combatant evacuation operations and vertical, board, search and seizure training. Additionally, ground forces will conduct non-lethal weapons training designed to combat unlawful fishing, piracy, trafficking in persons, drugs and illegal weapons.

Rear Adm. Gerard P. Heuber, U.S Naval Forces Europe-Africa, director for policy, resources and strategy, thanked Maksimov and the Ukrainian Navy for hosting Sea Breeze and spoke about the importance of the exercise.

"Sea Breeze is about strengthening maritime partnerships in the Black Sea in spirit of partnership for peace and is invaluable to all participating countries because it promotes regional stability and maritime security," said Heuber.

Sea Breeze is the largest exercise this year in the Black Sea, including 20 ships, 13 aircraft and more than 1,600 military members from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Moldova, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and United States.

Following the ceremony a press conference was held with 57 journalists from 41 news organizations. Additionally, the opening ceremony was followed in the evening with a reception aboard USS Taylor (FFG 50).

Multinational Exercise Sea Breeze 2008 Begins

ODESSA, Ukraine (NNS) -- Ships from numerous nations, including USS McFaul (DDG 74), have been arriving Odessa, Ukraine since July 11 as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 367 in support of Exercise Sea Breeze.

The guided-missile destroyer is one of 14 ships participating in Sea Breeze, a joint invitational and combined maritime exercise involving 16 countries and held in the spirit of partnership for peace.

The exercise is an annual event which occurs in the Black Sea and at various land-based Ukrainian training facilities. The exercise includes enhancing multinational interoperability, developing Black Sea-nation maritime security capabilities and improving involvement in Navy Europe's larger Black Sea theater security cooperation strategy.

"This exercise is a key part of the U.S. Navy's strategy to enrich our partnerships in the region and work together to improve maritime safety and security," said Cmdr. Tim Schorr, commanding officer of McFaul. "Both myself and the entire crew are excited to work with our friends from all over the world."

The exercise, scheduled to continue through July 26, includes 14 ships, 17 aircraft and more than 2,200 personnel.

"Exercise Sea Breeze demonstrates U.S. and partner nation commitment to regional stability and maritime security," said U.S. Navy Capt. John Moore, exercise deputy commander and commodore of CTF 367.

"During this exercise, Sailors and Marines will work side-by-side with other personnel from partner ships while they are underway and ashore and will become familiar with the other militaries' operating procedures and practices."

Multinational Sea Breeze exercise begins in Ukraine

Ships from numerous nations, including the US Navy destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), have been arriving here since Friday as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 367 for the multi-national exercise, Sea Breeze 2008.

The guided-missile destroyer is one of 14 ships participating in Sea Breeze, a joint invitational and combined maritime exercise involving 16 countries and held in the spirit of partnership for peace.

The exercise is an annual event which occurs in the Black Sea and at various land-based Ukrainian training facilities with the goals of enhancing multinational interoperability, developing Black Sea-nation maritime security capabilities, and improving involvement in Navy Europe's larger Black Sea Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) strategy.

"This exercise is a key part of the U.S. Navy's strategy to enrich our partnerships in the region and work together to improve maritime safety and security," said Navy Cdr. Tim Schorr, commanding officer of McFaul. "Both myself and the entire crew [of McFaul] are excited to work with our friends from all over the world."

Sea Breeze started today with an opening ceremony and comments from senior officers and government officials representing Ukraine, the host nation, and the commander of the U.S. Navy contingent. Participants from the 14 partner nations taking part in this partnership for peace (PfP) exercise were also in attendance.

"Exercise Sea Breeze demonstrates the United State's and partner nation's commitment to regional stability and maritime security," said U.S. Navy Capt. John Moore, exercise deputy commander and commodore of CTF-367. "During this exercise, Sailors and Marines will work side-by-side with other personnel from partner ships while they are underway and ashore and will become familiar with the other militaries'
operating procedures and practices."

The first of the exercise's events occurs today with the standing up of the Joint Operation Center (JOC) and a series of briefings directed toward the leadership of the participating nations. The exercise is scheduled to continue through July 26 and includes 14 ships, 17 aircraft and more than 2,200 personnel. During their stay, partner-nation personnel will also have opportunities to experience the rich history
and culture of Odessa.